I have also tried installing firmware-b43-installer with the same result.

It seems that this thing simply isn't recognized. I've tried so many different solutions from the forums and google that I eventually wiped the drive and reinstalled just to be sure I hadn't spoiled something with all my poking around. All of the above is from my third fresh install in two days. I was hoping not to have to post yet another "OMG, I can't get broadcom to work!" post, but here I am. I'm at the end of my rope.

I'm a fairly knowledgeable Windows tech, and I have a basic user knowledge of solaris and AIX, but most of this admin-level stuff is new to me, so use little words...

Do you have an Ubuntu LiveCD? If so you may be able to get the files from there to install. According to https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiD ... t%20access you can find the files you need for an offline installation INCLUDING FIRMWARE, which you do need and do not currently have installed, under the directory on the CD ../pool/main/b/b43-fwcutter/

I have this exact same setup (Linux Mint 11, Latitude D600, Broadcom BCM4306 rev 02) but I'm not able to install b43 legacy. Here's the error:

Setting up b43-fwcutter (1:013-3) ...
Setting up firmware-b43legacy-installer (4.178.10.4-5) ...
Not supported card here (PCI id 14e4:165
14e4:4320)!
Use b43 firmware. This is just for the b43legacy driver.
Aborting.

So while my scenario seems the same, in mine it's telling me to use the regular b43 and not "legacy". However, I can't get it to work with b43 either. But I don't get the above error when I install the regular b43 firmware.

Hi everyone, I'm new here and new to Mint. I know this thread is a few months old, but I'm in the same predicament so I figured I'd just piggy back here.

I just did a clean install of Mint 11 LXDE after trying several versions of Ubuntu since Hardy Heron. I have the Broadcom 4306 Rev 2 chipset in my old laptop (hp ze4630us) and have gotten up to the point where I can locate networks, but never connect. Days and days of Google searches have led me here. FWIW, I never tried the wireless on this laptop with Ubuntu, because it was stationary, but it did work on XP and the wifi light lights up with my current Mint install if that means anything.

I have installed the b43 legacy drivers and b43 fwcutter. I have tried the linuxwireless.org instructions here (http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43). I have tried multiple types of encryption on my router None/WEP/WPA/WPA2 Personal and end up in an endless loop where I keep getting prompted to enter the key or passphrase. In the case of no encryption, it just sits for a while then says "Wireless disconnected". I'm pretty frustrated and am on the verge of just looking for an old cardbus adapter or something (open for recommendations if you have any, btw) but I really want to try to get this thing working.

... to the admins, sorry if reviving old threads is frowned upon. I can start a new one if that's the case. I just hate to see a bunch of threads with the same topic.

I have been trying Mint12 (CD and DVD) on my old Dell Inspiron 8000 but have this "missing firmware" problem preventing me from connecting wifi. However my Dell had no problem with Puppy Linux connecting - which is what I am posting this reply with. My Puppy tells me it is using Broadcom BCM4306 (rev 3) so surely the firmware must be in place ok.

I read here that b43-fwcutter will install the firmware so I am worried that if I try it to get Mint working it may change my firmware and that my original Puppy will be messed up and not work any more.

Therefore I would suggest the "missing firmware" message is erroneous - my firmware must be in place OK already to work in Puppy

[quote="Baldlygo"I read here that b43-fwcutter will install the firmware so I am worried that if I try it to get Mint working it may change my firmware and that my original Puppy will be messed up and not work any more.

Therefore I would suggest the "missing firmware" message is erroneous - my firmware must be in place OK already to work in Puppy [/quote]
B43 firmware is for 4306 'rev 03' and higher. 'rev 02' and before require b43-legacy firmware instead. Please verify with lspci which revision you are using.

Registered Linux User #528502
Feel free to correct me if I'm trying to write in Spanish, French or German.

AlbertP wrote:I doubt that such an old card will do WPA2 well. Anyway if firmware-b43-installer and b43-fwcutter are installed it should work.

Thanks Albert - but why does it work perfectly in Puppy with the existing firmware and not in Mint ...and if I install new firmware I will risk upsetting my Puppy will I not ....as much as I would like to run Mint on my Dell the risk would be too much for me to take

The firmware from Puppy has nothing to do with firmware in Mint. Without the firmware in Mint the device will not work, just as it would not without it in Puppy. They're separate and do not interact so there's no danger of using it in every distro/Windows version you have on the machine. They do not impact each other at all.